Food trucks are not just a dining option in Austin; they’re a vibrant and essential part of the city’s culture. The sheer variety of choices can be exhilarating, yet planning food truck catering for an event might seem daunting. Thankfully, resources like Roaming Hunger simplify the process, making it easy to navigate the diverse cuisines and logistical details involved in Food Trucks Catering.
This guide serves as your definitive resource for food trucks catering in Austin. We’ll explore a curated list of the best local food truck caterers, highlighting their specialties and ideal event types. We also provide essential tips on how to seamlessly hire a food truck, ensuring your next event is both delicious and memorable. Let’s get started and discover the perfect mobile culinary experience for you!
Taco Trucks Catering
For exceptional taco truck catering, Austin offers an impressive array of options. Imagine starting your event with energizing breakfast tacos filled with fresh, organic ingredients like succulent shrimp, fluffy eggs, and rich cheese. For lunch, consider the satisfying Ensenada-style burritos or the ever-popular taco brunch. As evening approaches, delight your guests with unique curry shrimp tacos. Austin’s taco food trucks are incredibly versatile, perfect for any event.
Rosarito: Owned by Carlos, Rosarito offers a unique Baja California fusion, expertly blending Japanese and Mexican Pacific seafood influences. This food truck brings a sophisticated twist to taco truck catering. Great for: Corporate Events, Large-Scale Gatherings, Wedding Receptions Cuisine: Mexican, Seafood, Tacos, Vegetarian Options
Mix’T Caribbean Blends: Chef Tatiana French-Dejuan masterfully combines her Caribbean and Southern heritage, creating a flavorful melting pot. Mix’T Caribbean Blends offers a diverse menu that goes beyond traditional taco truck catering, providing options to please every palate. Great for: Family Celebrations, Large Events, Corporate Catering Services Cuisine: Caribbean, Tacos, Burgers, Sandwiches, Pasta Dishes
TacoMan512: TacoMan512 is known for its scalable catering setup, accommodating events of any size. Their delicious tacos, refreshing aguas frescas, and delightful paletas will have your guests returning for more, making them a fantastic choice for large food trucks catering events. Great for: Corporate Catering, Formal Events, Large-Scale Events, Wedding Catering Cuisine: Mexican, Tacos, Desserts, Beverages, Vegetarian Choices
Mama Noy’s Food Truck: Mama Noy’s prides itself on using the freshest ingredients to create a unique fusion of Laotian and Tex-Mex flavors. This food truck provides an exciting and flavorful twist on standard food trucks catering, perfect for adventurous eaters. Great for: Corporate Catering, Huge Events, Wedding Catering Cuisine: Tacos, Asian Fusion, Eggrolls, Vegan Options, Vegetarian Options
Pepe’s Tacos: Meet Pepe, the Birria King, and experience birria heaven! Pepe’s Tacos specializes in juicy, flavorful birria tacos, quesadillas, and tortas, offering a rich and savory experience for your food trucks catering event. Great for: Corporate Catering, Large Events, Wedding Receptions Cuisine: Mexican, Eclectic, Tacos, Sandwiches
BBQ Trucks Catering
Austin barbecue is truly in a class of its own, offering a unique twist on traditional Texas BBQ with influences from across the country. Imagine serving bohemian brisket plates and championship rib plates at your event. BBQ trucks catering in Austin will bring an unforgettable smoky flavor and authentic Texas experience to your guests.
Micklethwait Craft Meats: A renowned Austin BBQ institution since 2012, Micklethwait Craft Meats offers famous slow-smoked sausages and brisket, alongside delightful Moon Pies. For BBQ trucks catering that’s guaranteed to impress, Micklethwait is a top choice. Great for: Large Events, Festivals, Smaller Parties (Drop-Off Catering Available) Cuisine: BBQ, Sausages, Sandwiches
Bohemian Barbecue: Make your event the talk of the town with Bohemian Barbecue. They offer original BBQ flavors with a bohemian flair, including their intriguing Bohemian BBQ sundae. This adds a unique and memorable element to your food trucks catering. Great for: On-Location Catering, Large Events, Corporate Catering Cuisine: Comfort Food, Burgers, Sandwiches, BBQ
Burger Trucks Catering
When you think of burger trucks catering, expect juicy, perfectly cooked meat loaded with the freshest toppings. Austin’s burger food trucks deliver exactly that and much more, offering a gourmet twist on classic American fare. These trucks are perfect for creating a relaxed and satisfying dining experience at any event.
Wholly Cow Burgers: Prepare for “holy cow!” moments when your guests taste Wholly Cow Burgers’ premium grass-fed reubens, burgers, and cheesesteaks. For top-tier burger trucks catering, Wholly Cow Burgers is a standout. Great for: Wedding Celebrations, Office Gatherings, Festivals Cuisine: Burgers, Sandwiches, Cheesesteaks
Urban Cowboy: Urban Cowboy uniquely excels in both burgers and tacos, making them a versatile choice for food trucks catering. Though they operate as a pop-up rather than a traditional truck, their exceptional food deserves a spot on this list. Great for: On-Set Catering, Large Events, Corporate Catering, Wedding Catering Cuisine: Southern, Tacos, Burgers
Pizza Trucks Catering
From classic cheese to pepperoni, sausage, veggies, chicken, or bacon, pizza is always a crowd-pleaser. Pizza trucks catering in Austin offer an irresistible array of toppings and sauces, guaranteed to spice up your next event. Mobile pizza catering brings convenience and deliciousness directly to your guests.
Hungry J’s Pizza: You can’t go wrong with pizza, especially when it’s Hungry J’s Pizza. They elevate pizza to a new level, offering unique cheesy creations and a wide range of toppings for custom pizzas. Hungry J’s is ideal for pizza trucks catering that offers both variety and quality. Great for: Formal Affairs, Family Gatherings, Large Events, Corporate Catering Cuisine: Pizza, Wings, Vegetarian Options
Stony’s Pizza: This father-son team aimed big and delivered even bigger with Stony’s Pizza. For large parties, Stony’s Pizza and their seriously BIG pizzas are perfect for your pizza trucks catering needs, ensuring everyone gets a satisfying slice. Great for: Large Parties, Corporate Catering, Weddings Cuisine: Pizza
Dessert Trucks Catering
Looking for the sweetest treats in Austin for your event? Dessert trucks catering are the perfect solution. These mobile dessert vendors offer everything from frozen delights to decadent pastries, ensuring a sweet ending to any occasion.
Bananarchy: Bananarchy lets your guests personalize their own chocolate-dipped, ethically sourced bananas or choose from their creative recommendations. For a fun and interactive dessert trucks catering experience, Bananarchy is a fantastic choice. Great for: Small Parties to Large Events Cuisine: Eclectic, Frozen Treats, Sweet, Fruit-Based Desserts
Crepe Crazy: Bring a touch of France to your event with Crepe Crazy. They offer both savory and sweet crepes, from Florentine and Caprese to Nutella Royale and Brown Sugar & Cinnamon, providing a sophisticated dessert trucks catering option. Great for: Weddings, Private Gatherings, Corporate Events Cuisine: Crepes, Vegetarian Options
Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs: Support a family-owned business with Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs. Offering homemade snowballs in flavors ranging from traditional tiger blood to Boston cream pie, Casey’s is perfect for family-friendly dessert trucks catering. Great for: Family and Kid-Friendly Events, Large Events, Corporate Catering Cuisine: Ice Cream, Frozen Treats, Sweet, Shaved Ice, Vegetarian Options
Unique Food Truck Catering Options
Austin’s culinary scene goes beyond just barbecue, burgers, and tacos. Explore these comfort food and internationally-inspired food trucks catering options for a truly unique event. From Mediterranean to Latin and Asian fusions, these trucks offer diverse and exciting flavors.
Burro Cheese Kitchen: Nothing says comfort food like gourmet grilled cheese from Burro Cheese Kitchen. Using artisan cheeses and breads, they create mouthwatering grilled cheese masterpieces, perfect for elevated comfort food trucks catering. Great for: Large Events, Weddings, Corporate Events Cuisine: Grilled Cheese, Comfort Food, Dessert, Vegetarian Options
Meat Your Heart: Meat Your Heart blends American and Caribbean flavors into flavorful sandwiches. This food truck is ideal for food trucks catering that offers bold and exciting flavor combinations. Great for: Family Events, Large Events, Corporate Catering, Weddings Cuisine: Caribbean, Sandwiches
Shishman Mediterranean Grill: Shishman Mediterranean Grill offers fresh, authentic Halal and gluten-free Mediterranean street food. Bringing Turkish cuisine to Austin, Shishman provides a culturally rich and flavorful food trucks catering experience. Great for: Indoor Events, On-Set Catering, Corporate Catering, Vegan and Vegetarian Friendly Cuisine: Mediterranean, Gluten-Free Friendly, Kebabs, Halal, Vegetarian Options
The Mighty Cone: The Mighty Cone offers convenient and delicious street food served in a cone. Chef Jeff Blank’s Hot ‘n’ Crunchy chicken in a paper cone is a must-try, perfect for easy-to-eat food trucks catering. Great for: Large Events, Weddings, Kids’ Events Cuisine: Eclectic, Comfort Food, Fried Food Served in a Cone
Garbo’s Lobster Food Truck: Garbo’s Lobster Food Truck brings lobster rolls to Austin, blending Northeast and Southern flavors. For a sophisticated and unique food trucks catering option, Garbo’s is an excellent choice. Great for: Large Events, Weddings, Corporate Catering Cuisine: Lobster Rolls, Soup, Seafood
Shawarma Point: Shawarma Point offers modern Mediterranean Halal street food. This food truck brings flavorful and spicy Mediterranean cuisine to your food trucks catering event. Great for: Large Events, Weddings, Corporate Catering Cuisine: Mediterranean, Falafel, Wraps, Salads, Vegetarian Options
How to Book Food Trucks for Catering
Now that you’re familiar with some of the best food trucks in Austin, let’s discuss how to book them for catering. Using a food truck booking service like Roaming Hunger simplifies the process significantly. Roaming Hunger specializes in Austin food trucks catering, connecting you with top-rated mobile caterers and managing all the booking details. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure your food truck catering experience is seamless:
- Determine Your Catering Budget
Food trucks catering costs typically range from $10 to $35 per guest. Establishing a budget based on your estimated guest count is crucial.
Refer to Roaming Hunger’s guide on food truck rental prices for a helpful cost breakdown:
| Cuisine Type | Average Price per Person | Minimum for 1–100 Guests |
|---|---|---|
| Taco Truck Catering | $10–$15 | $1,000 |
| Dessert Truck Catering | $8–$15 | $800 |
| Other Food Truck Catering (BBQ, Burger, etc.) | $15–$25 | $1,500 |
- Decide on the Number of Food Trucks
Calculate the number of food trucks needed based on your attendee count. A general guideline is one food truck per 150-200 guests. For larger events or greater variety, consider booking multiple food trucks for your catering.
Consult with your shortlisted food trucks to understand their hourly serving capacity, ensuring efficient service for your guests.
- Choose Your Menu and Cuisine
Food trucks offer diverse menus catering to various tastes and dietary needs, including vegan and gluten-free options.
Most food trucks provide catering packages tailored to different budgets and event sizes. Some offer set menus with main courses and sides, while others allow you to customize your selections. Many are also open to menu customization to enhance your guests’ dining experience.
- Verify Food Truck Regulations and Permits
For events on public property or in parks, ensure you have necessary city permits. These are generally straightforward to obtain.
For private property events, you might only need the property owner’s consent. Confirm that your chosen food truck possesses all required registrations and certifications to operate in Austin.
- Select an Appropriate Location
Choose a location suitable for food trucks, ensuring adequate parking and visibility for your guests. The parking area should be level, spacious, and free from obstructions like low branches.
With this comprehensive guide, you’re now well-equipped to plan your food trucks catering event in Austin. Make your next gathering a culinary success!
Explore more about food trucks in Austin and food truck rentals at roaminghunger.com.
Article and images courtesy of Roaming Hunger.
